 | You’ve finally decided to do it! You’re going to construct a pond this summer for your garden. You know the size you want, the shape you want, and the type liner and special accents and features you want. You think.
Planning for your dream garden pond can be a daunting experience. The expense alone warrants careful planning and considerations. What if you’ve forgotten something, or haven’t considered something you later wish you had?
Without careful planning the lovely pond you now envision could turn out to be just a water-filled hole in the ground. This handy check list of things to consider before undertaking the exciting task of creating your garden pond will help you avoid that risk.
- Consider costs: Basic costs will include the liner, pump, and filter – if any, which will also require “plumbing” electricity to the pond; plants and gravel to put in or around the pond, and fish – if any. Other costs might include chemicals to treat the water, dissolvable fertilizers for any aquatic plants, fish food – if you decide to have Koi carp or goldfish, basic cleaners for maintenance purposes, and perhaps a net to remove dead leaves and other debris from the pond. Costs for electricity to run a pump or filter will be ongoing.
- Consider size: The size of the garden pond will depend upon three things; available space, available funds, and personal preference. The larger the pond size, the larger the expense and upkeep. If you want a larger pond but don’t have the space, consider two smaller ponds situated at opposite ends of the garden or yard. Smaller ponds can be covered with netted during storms and windy days to prevent leaves and other debris from making a mess.
- Consider shape: Round, square, oval, kidney shaped, or irregular. It’s really a matter of personal preference, what will best compliment’s the yard’s landscape, and the particular location of the pond itself. If using a flexible liner, keep shapes simple since complicated shapes can create ugly folds and require more liner. Some ponds have a shallow area as well as deep, best accommodating the needs of wildlife.
- Consider construction: Flexible pond liners are made either from rubber or thick mil plastic. They are the easiest to install, and work best for medium to large sized ponds. Flexible liners, when installed properly without visible edges, also appear more natural. Preformed clay or fiberglass come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They generally last longer than flexible liners, but are harder to install, requiring two or more persons, and must be kept level at all times while maneuvering into position.
- Consider Purpose: What effect do you want to create with your garden pond? Ponds situated in close proximity to a house tend to be more elaborate and formal. Many people who enjoy the sedating sounds of moving water include a fountain in their design. Ponds with a waterfall, centered in a garden of exotic flora, become the welcomed focal point of an otherwise ordinary yard.
Understated ponds in a more secluded corner of the yard, surrounded by native flora, tend to be more natural looking. Such ponds often add a “beach” of pebbles that gently slopes to a shallow end of the pond, creating a natural watering hole for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. This is an effective way to welcome nature into a backyard.
- Consider location: The location of the pond is another important consideration. At the top of the list should be safety. Select a safe place in your yard where small children won’t be put at risk. It should be located near an accessible water supply for easier “top offs” during hot, summer months. If a pump or filter is to be used it will also have to have an electrical source. It should not be in close proximity to trees with wide-spreading roots that could, in time, damage the liner. If you consider placing the pond near a fence line, consider also whether or not there are trees on the other side of the fence with wide-spreading roots.
The pond should be kept at a safe distance from deciduous trees with poisonous leaves that could otherwise fall in the water and contaminate it. Avoid placing the pond in an area that is over-exposed to prevailing winds. Low, boggy areas of the yard that collect water could cause the liner to lift, or flood the pond. Areas over bedrock, pipes, septic tanks, and underground cables should also be avoided. Consider, too, that aquatic plants require full sun in order to thrive.
- Consider possible regulations: Another thing to consider when making plans for a garden pond is that a permit might be required in order to install one. It would be prudent to check with a local building inspector to see if that is the case in your community.
Careful planning and foresight of important considerations such as these will help insure your new garden pond is a success story. One you’ll happily share while enjoying its tranquility and beauty with family and friends for many years to come.
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